- 5G connections reach 2.6 billion by mid-2025, up 37% year on year
- Forecast says 5G will cover 60% of mobile links by 2030
What happened: Global 5G adoption grows fast as connections rise
Global 5G adoption grows fast as connections rise from 2.6 billion to a forecast of 9 billion in the next five years., according to 5G Americas and Omdia. The total is 37% higher than the same time last year.
The study says 5G subscriptions will grow to 9 billion by 2030. This would make up about 60% of all mobile links across the world. Asia-Pacific and North America push most of the growth. China has more than 1.5 billion subscribers, and the United States has passed 200 million. Europe is growing but still falls behind the two biggest markets.
The figures also show the speed of network rollouts. Operators have put large sums into spectrum and towers since 2019. South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom now have strong 5G coverage. India is building out networks at one of the fastest rates seen so far.
Also Read: M360 LATAM 2025: Day one highlights from Mexico City, 28 May
Also Read: M360 LATAM 2025: Connecting Latin America’s digital future in Mexico city
Why it’s important
The sharp rise shows how 5G has moved from a new idea to a common standard in only a few years. People want higher quality video, fast mobile games, and smoother apps, so demand is strong. Companies also use 5G for factory systems, medical services, supply chain tracking, and smart city projects.
The spread of 5G also matters for how countries compete. Governments see it as key for digital growth and future jobs. The GSMA says the mobile industry will add almost $1 trillion to world GDP by 2030, and much of this will come from 5G. The networks also prepare the way for 6G, new forms of reality tools, and cars that link to the internet.
